{{short description|2000 video game}} {{About|the Sega game|the EA Sports/Global VR arcade game|EA Sports NASCAR Racing}} {{good article}} {{Infobox video game | title = NASCAR Arcade | image = NASCARArcade2000PosterArt.jpg | alt = A poster featuring race cars on a track | caption = European arcade flyer, featuring [[Jeff Gordon]] and [[Dale Jarrett]]'s cars in the front row | developer = [[Sega Rosso]] | publisher = [[Sega]] | director = Isao Matsumoto | producer = Kenji Arai | designer = Daisuke Ogawa | programmer = Kazuhiro Mori | composer = [[Jun Senoue]] | platforms = [[Arcade video game|Arcade]] | released = {{vgrelease|JP|September 2000<ref name="ATVGL:JaO1971-2005">{{cite book|last=Akagi|first=Masumi|url=https://archive.org/stream/ArcadeGameList1971-2005#page/n40/mode/1up|title=アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内•海外編 (1971-2005)|edition=1st|publisher=Amusement News Agency|date=13 October 2006|pages=39, 132|isbn=978-4990251215|language=ja}}</ref>|NA|March 2001<ref name="ATVGL:JaO1971-2005"/>|EU|2001}} | genre = [[Racing video game|Racing]] | modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] | arcade system = [[List of Sega arcade system boards|Sega Hikaru]] }}
{{Nihongo foot|'''''NASCAR Arcade''''',|{{ruby|NASCAR|ナスカー}}アーケード|Nasukā ākēdo|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes}} initially known as '''''NASCAR Rubbin' Racing''''' outside North America, is a 2000 [[racing video game]] developed by [[Sega Rosso]] and published by [[Sega]] for [[arcade video game|arcades]]. It was produced at the suggestion of producer Kenji Arai, and the soundtrack was produced by [[Jun Senoue]]. The game is based on the [[1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series]], and carries an official [[NASCAR]] license with permission from [[EA Sports]], who permitted Sega to develop the game as a arcade-only title.
The game was released in both standard and deluxe arcade cabinets, and up to eight cabinets can be linked for multiplayer. Players have to race against competition at one of four tracks while also racing against a timer. Previews and reviews of the game praised the realistic graphics and smoothness, but had criticisms of the game's gear shifter and comparison to other Sega games.
==Gameplay== [[File:NASCARArcadeRIRSpeedwayScreenshot.jpg|left|thumb|The player, playing as [[Dale Jarrett]], is battling [[Ernie Irvan]] for 23rd place at [[Richmond International Raceway]]; utilizing the optional third-person perspective.|alt=]]
''NASCAR Arcade'' is a [[Racing video game|racing game]] based on the [[1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series]]. Four tracks are available to select from: [[Talladega Superspeedway]],<ref name=":6">{{Cite magazine|date=October 27, 2000|title=NASCAR Arcade|magazine=Dreamcast Magazine|language=ja|publisher=[[SoftBank Publishing]]|volume=34|pages=156–157}}</ref> [[Richmond International Raceway]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=November 17, 2000|title=NASCAR Arcade|magazine=Dreamcast Magazine|language=ja|publisher=[[SoftBank Publishing]]|volume=36 Extra|pages=148–149}}</ref> and [[Watkins Glen International]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine|date=December 8, 2000|title=NASCAR Arcade|magazine=Dreamcast Magazine|language=ja|publisher=[[SoftBank Publishing]]|volume=39|pages=154–155}}</ref> as well as a "Team SEGA" secret track.<ref name=":2" /> Each track represents a different level of difficulty.<ref name=":0" /> The goal of the game is to advance through the field of rival race cars, while racing against a timer. Reaching a goal before the timer reaches zero resets the timer and extends the play.<ref name=":3" /> There are Race and [[Time attack|Time Attack]] modes in single-player, as well as a multiplayer mode where up to eight arcade cabinets can be linked.<ref name=":0" /> The game's arcade cabinet seat will move when hitting an opponent or being hit,<ref name=":3" /> and the game's deluxe cabinet includes a tubular [[roll cage]].<ref name=":0" /> Secret codes via gear shifter and by highlighting a particular car and holding down the brake pedal would allow access to drivers such as [[Richard Petty]], [[Adam Petty]] (who died prior to the game's release), and [[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]]<ref name=":1" />
==Development== ''NASCAR Arcade'' was developed by [[Sega Rosso]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|date=November 2000|title=NASCAR Arcade|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|issue=90|page=67}}</ref> formerly Sega's R&D #12 division.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-rubs-nascar-racing/1100-2446377/|title=Sega Rubs NASCAR Racing|last=Johnston|first=Chris|date=April 26, 2000|website=[[GameSpot]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224130915/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-rubs-nascar-racing/1100-2446377/|archive-date=February 24, 2020|access-date=February 24, 2020}}</ref> Production of a [[NASCAR]]-based game was suggested by the game's producer, Kenji Arai, despite concerns that NASCAR was not well known in Japan (although NASCAR had previously hosted exhibition races at [[Suzuka Circuit]] and [[Twin Ring Motegi]]).<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine|date=December 22, 2000|title=NASCAR Arcade|magazine=Dreamcast Magazine|language=ja|publisher=[[SoftBank Publishing]]|volume=41|pages=150–151}}</ref> At the time of its development, the license to create console games based on NASCAR belonged to [[Electronic Arts]] (EA), who were not releasing games on Sega's home console system, the [[Dreamcast]]. EA granted permission to Sega to develop ''NASCAR Arcade'' as a coin-op only game.<ref name=":0" /> The game runs on the [[List of Sega arcade system boards|Sega Hikaru]] [[arcade system board]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=NASCAR Arcade Deluxe Edition Owner's Manual|publisher=[[Sega]]|year=2000|pages=33}}</ref> According to Anoop Gantayat of ''[[IGN]]'', he felt the game's original name of ''NASCAR Rubbin' Racing'' would sound odd to native English speakers and needed to change when the game came to North America.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/02/segas-nascar-game-revealed|title=Sega's NASCAR Game Revealed|last=Gantayat|first=Anoop|date=March 1, 2000|website=[[IGN]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428165757/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/02/segas-nascar-game-revealed|archive-date=April 28, 2020|access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> [[Official Dreamcast Magazine (US magazine)|''Official Dreamcast Magazine'']] called the game's original title "very, very strange".<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=March 2001|title=Rubbin' Racin'|url=https://archive.org/details/OfficialSegaDreamcast12MarApr2001/page/n7/mode/2up|magazine=[[Official Dreamcast Magazine (US magazine)|Official Dreamcast Magazine]]|page=5|access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref> The game was released as ''NASCAR Arcade'' in Japan.<ref name=":6" />
''NASCAR Arcade''<nowiki/>'s soundtrack was created by [[Jun Senoue]] and recorded by Sons of Angels (later known as [[Crush 40]]), with Senoue on guitar and [[Johnny Gioeli]] singing the vocals.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/14/sega-rocks-with-rubbin-racing|title=Sega Rocks with Rubbin' Racing|last=Williamson|first=Colin|date=March 13, 2000|website=[[IGN]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428165534/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/03/14/sega-rocks-with-rubbin-racing|archive-date=April 28, 2020|access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> Senoue had previously worked on a racing game soundtrack before with [[Eric Martin (American singer)|Eric Martin]] of [[Mr. Big (American band)|Mr. Big]] on the title track for ''[[Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition]]'', also called "Sons of Angels".<ref name=":4" /> Senoue and Gioeli later released the soundtrack as the album ''Thrill of the Feel'' on March 23, 2000 in Japan under the ''Sons of Angels'' name.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://junsenoue.com/content/view/1/14|title=Jun Senoue Biography|last=Gill|first=Parminder|date=April 10, 2005|website=junsenoue.com|publisher=[[Jun Senoue]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130073822/http://junsenoue.com/content/view/1/14|archive-date=January 30, 2008|access-date=February 24, 2020}}</ref> It was released by [[Victor Entertainment]].<ref name="jvc">{{cite web|url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Discography/A014575/VICP-61014.html|title=JVC Music/Victor Album Information: Thrill of the Feel|publisher=[[JVCKenwood Victor Entertainment]]|language=ja|access-date=April 10, 2008|archive-date=October 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009175049/http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Discography/A014575/VICP-61014.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Release and reception == In a preview of the game from testing in [[Shinjuku]], Chris Johnston of ''[[GameSpot]]'' called ''NASCAR Arcade'' "one to watch out for". He noted the smooth textures of the graphics and the game's ability to run at 60 frames per second without any slowdown.<ref name=":3" /> According to a 2000 [[GameFAQs]] FAQ by Mark Kim, the [[Brunswick Bowling & Billiards#Bowling centers|Brunswick Zone]] in [[Naperville, Illinois]] was the first [[amusement arcade|arcade]] in the United States to feature the game.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kim |first=Mark |title=Sega Nascar Arcade FAQ |url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/arcade/579733-nascar-arcade/faqs/10102 |website=GameFAQs |date=December 14, 2000 |access-date=May 15, 2025}}</ref> The game was also demonstrated at the [[Japan Amusement Machine and Marketing Association|JAMMA]] 2000 show in Tokyo, with Anoop Gantayat of ''[[IGN]]'' stating the graphics and shadow effects appeared very realistic and that the steering wheel controls felt very realistic with the addition of resistance, along with good quality sound including deep, roaring engine sounds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/22/jamma-2000-hands-off-the-ea-sports-nascar-babe|title=JAMMA 2000: Hands Off the EA Sports NASCAR Babe|last=Gantayat|first=Anoop|date=September 21, 2000|website=[[IGN]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428165317/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/22/jamma-2000-hands-off-the-ea-sports-nascar-babe|archive-date=April 28, 2020|access-date=April 28, 2020}}</ref>
In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''NASCAR Arcade'' as the 18th most successful dedicated arcade game of November 2000.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - 完成品夕イプのTVゲーム機 (Dedicated Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=622|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=15 November 2000|page=17|lang=ja}}</ref> ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' stated that unlike ''[[Daytona USA (video game)|Daytona USA]]'', ''NASCAR Arcade'' shows a focus on realism. The reviewer called the game "technically accomplished, with cars and background well rendered", but criticized the gear shifter and negatively compared the game's graphics to ''[[Sega Rally 2]]''.<ref name=":0" /> In 2011, Tim Daniels of ''[[Bleacher Report]]'' rated the game 15th in a list of the top 25 NASCAR video games, praising the game's realism.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NASCAR Video Games: Power Ranking the Top 25 Driving Games Ever|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/734045-nascar-video-games-power-ranking-the-top-25-driving-games-ever|last=Daniels|first=Tim|date=June 14, 2011|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=May 1, 2020}}</ref>
== See also == {{Portal|Video games}}
* ''[[Daytona USA 2001]]''
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
== External links ==
* {{KLOV game|id=8810}} *{{MobyGames|/arcade/nascar-arcade}} {{NASCAR video games}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:NASCAR Arcade}} [[Category:2000 video games]] [[Category:Arcade video games]] [[Category:Arcade-only video games]] [[Category:NASCAR video games]] [[Category:Racing video games]] [[Category:Sega-AM3 games]] [[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]] [[Category:Video games developed in Japan]] [[Category:Video games scored by Jun Senoue]]